Application of Phosphorescent Cyclometalated Iridium (III) Complexes in Cancer Treatment

Due to the excellent phosphorescent properties, the coordinatively saturated and substitutionally inert cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes have been widely used in biological imaging and biosensing. In recent years, the application of this kind of iridium(III) complexes in cancer treatment has attracted wide attention due to its anticancer efficacy and novel mechanisms. Recent advances of phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium(III) complexes of the formula [Ir(C<^>N) (2) (N<^>N)](+) in anticancer chemotherapy and photodynamic therapy (PDT) are reviewed in this article. The iridium (III) complexes targeting different organelles or as protein-protein interactions inhibitors or being applied in one-photon and two-photon PDT are summarized and discussed, which provides guidance for the development of new metal-based anticancer drugs. Finally, the development and application of phosphorescent cyclometalated iridium (III) complexes in cancer treatment is discussed and prospected.